A Chilean office worker has won a legal battle against his employer after resigning from his job following a massive payroll error that saw him paid more than 300 times his usual salary.
Payroll Error Sparks Legal Fight
The worker, an assistant at food company Dan Consorcio Industrial de Alimentos de Chile, typically earned around 500,000 pesos (£386) per month.
However, in May 2022, the company mistakenly deposited 165 million pesos (£127,000) into his account.
The company claimed he initially agreed to return the money after a meeting with human resources, but the employee handed in his resignation just three days later.
This led to a legal dispute that lasted three years, with the firm accusing him of theft, a charge that could have resulted in fines and up to 540 days in prison.
Court Rules in Favor of Employee
A Santiago court dismissed the theft allegation, ruling that the case constituted “unauthorised collection” rather than a criminal offense. This meant the man could not be prosecuted for theft under Chilean law.
While the company maintains its right to recover the money through civil channels, the court’s decision has been seen as a victory for the former employee, who acted quickly by resigning after the payroll mistake.
Employer Vows to Continue Legal Action
Dan Consorcio Industrial de Alimentos de Chile issued a statement saying it would pursue all possible legal options, including an application to annul the ruling.
“We remain determined to recover the funds and will take all necessary legal steps to have the ruling reviewed,” the company told Diario Financiero.
For now, the self-proclaimed lucky man walks free, while the company presses on to recover the massive accidental payout.